Is Lost‘s Penny doomed? The Choob has been worried about Penelope Widmore, girlfriend of Desmond Hume – the world’s favourite Scottish, Glasgow Celtic-supporting, time-travelling island-hopper – since nasty, vengeful Benjamin Linus said he was off to attend to some unfinished business, then was next seen covered in cuts and bruises next to some boats at a marina.

However, Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello offers some comfort, as he reports that Lost insiders say they are not done with Penny yet and that Walger will balance work on the two shows (they are both on the ABC network), should Flash Forward progress to a full series.

Of course, on Lost, the fact that a character will appear in future episodes does not necessarily mean they will be alive…

Talking of Lost, the rumour that has been spreading around “teh internets” over the last few days that Kate is being killed off (fuelled by a claim that actress Evangeline Lilly has been auditioning for new shows) has been flatly denied by the producers of Lost, network ABC and Lilly’s own spokespeople, all of whom insist Kate will be on the island until the show ends next year.

All the original main cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation have signed up for a reunion – on a special episode of animated sitcom Family Guy.

ITV’s poorly-received Saturday-night prime-time fantasy drama Demonsis facing the axe after a single season, according to tabloid reports. Star Philip Glenister (best known for playing Gene Hunt in the original UK version of Life On Mars and its sequel Ashes To Ashes) has reportedly quit his role as vampire hunter Rupert Galvin. This, along with rapidly-declining ratings throughout the first season’s run, seem likely to signal its demise.

What credit crunch? NBC is said to be charging advertisers up to $500,000 for a 30-second commercial slot during the two-hour last-ever episode of ER, which airs in the US on April 2. Such advertising slots normally cost around $135,000. George Clooney returns in the finale for one last appearance as Dr Doug Ross, left, along with a few of the show’s other former stars.

With the second season of The CW’s Reaper starting on Tuesday (March 3) Sci Fi Wire has a video interview with star Bret Harrison revealing what lies in store for the Devil’s errand boy this year.

As season seven of 24 approaches the half-way mark on Fox, it has been announced that executive producer John Cassar won’t be back for season eight (which may well be the show’s final season), after failing to agree a new contract deal. He had been with the series for six years.

His next project will be as director of CBS pilot Washington Field, a crime drama about a team of elite agents operating out of the FBI’s Washington field office.

Like this:

The rumours have been flying for months and now, according to breaking news from E! Online, Dr Doug Ross is returning for one final shift at County General.

Other original ER stars, including Anthony Edwards (Dr Mark Greene) and Noah Wyle (Dr John Carter) have already been confirmed as returning for the show’s farewell season (its 15th).

But, of course, the dream addition to the guest-star wish-list was always going to be George Clooney. And as the Choob reported a few weeks ago, when the network ordered an additional three episodes – extending the run from 19 to 22 – the rumour mill didn’t so much go into overdrive and hyper-drive that Clooney would return one last time to the role that made him famous.

The producers played their part in the hype/mind games, with a steady stream of yes/no/maybe/I don’t know/it depends on his schedule statements. Now, though, if the report is to be believed, it’s a done deal and he will be shooting his scenes this week.

Next big talking point, therefore: will Julianna Margulies return with him as former nurse Carol Hathaway. The characters were last seen riding off into the sunset together, after all.

The final episode is due to air in the US on NBC on April 2. UK viewers should get to see it on E4 around May/June.

Before fans get their hopes up too much, though, this season, the 15th, is still going to be the medical drama’s swan-song.

However, it has emerged that NBC has ordered an extra three episodes, extending the final season from 19 to 22.

With original stars Noah Wyle and Anthony Edwardsalready confirmed as returning as Doctors John Carter and Mark Greene, the extended episode order inevitably prompted speculation that producers have also managed to lure back one or more of the show’s other original stars – with George Clooney‘s Doug Ross top of the fevered rumor-mill wish list.

Time will tell whether they manage to pull off this casting coup but there’s been no official confirmation (or denial) as yet from the producers about further guest stars.

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